Meet me at the McClintock clock

Tom OrrRidge Lines

Published: Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:07 a.m.

I asked Mark Ray about the car he drives. "Tom, it's a 1966 Ford Galaxy 500 four-door hardtop. The car is one of four registered in North Carolina with a 289 manual transmission option including A/C from 1967."

Ray, along with his partner Nancy Pew, has operated Dad's Collectibles, 221 N. Main St., for just over three years. During that short time, he has actively participated in revitalizing downtown Hendersonville.

He has attended meetings of the Main Street Advisory Committee.

Recently, during "public comment," Mark spoke against what he calls the "misguided" clock tower proposal. He then turned attention to the "forgotten" clock affixed to the old State Trust Building, corner of Fourth Avenue East and Main Street.

As a committee member, I became very attentive as he breathed life into what he calls "the poor clock sorely in need of TLC."

He then made the suggestion: "Instead of adding further insult to its former grandeur by adding a new clock tower, should we not give the McClintock clock new life … and spend far less? Hendersonville has a real treasure dating back to 1927."

Mention "McClintock," and I just might think of a John Wayne movie — certainly not a clock.

Desiring to know more about our historic clock, I "googled" and found several articles (with pictures) providing the history of O.B. McClintock and his historic clocks.

O.B. McClintock Co. of Minneapolis specialized in making clocks for banks and other financial institutions, usually with an outside mounting for public viewing. Many of the clocks had chime capabilities, with most of the movements supplied by Seth Thomas.

Ray, who has a passion for restoration, especially vintage cars, learned that our town clock had been maintained by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

The folks at the Genealogical Society were very helpful in hooking Mark up with this group. The group is represented by members from all over Western North Carolina and maintains other historic clocks.

Mark shared his passion for the clock's restoration with them. This group inspected the clock to see what it would take to return it to its former glory.

They were able to get the clock re-illuminated for the first time in 15 years.

Mark describes the Hendersonville clock as "having a wonderful patina," but he is quick to point out that "the old controller does not keep the time uniform on all sides."

Armed with all the cost estimates from the committee, Mark Ray approached the City Council. His plea for restoration funds brought a smile from council members when he informed them the cost would be in four figures, not five.

Mayor Volk introduced Mark to the new city manager.

The two met under the clock a few days later.

If funding is approved, the clock will be fitted with modern electronics to keep it running in sync through storms, power outages and daylight saving time changes.

Mark hopes that funding can be achieved through county funds, as well as Main Street funds and private donations.

As someone who grew up in this town and county, I have always connected the "McClintock" clock with Hendersonville.

How many times have I said to someone who failed to understand my downtown Hendersonville directions, "Look for the clock on the building!" or "Do you know where the clock is on the granite building on Fourth and Main?"

The clock is in a central location. The building on which the clock is attached is owned by the Genealogical and Historical Society, an appropriate place for our town's historic clock.

Leave the clock as is — with its authentic discolorations — just work on getting it operating accurately once again.

Mark Ray's proposal should be given full attention.

He has sought new and productive ways to preserve a community landmark. And he has gone about it in the right way.

Downtown Hendersonville should begin now to develop a new marketing slogan: "Meet me at the McClintock clock."

Mark Ray makes it a point to tell friends and customers to be sure to check out the illuminated clock each evening beginning at 7.

<p>I asked Mark Ray about the car he drives. "Tom, it's a 1966 Ford Galaxy 500 four-door hardtop. The car is one of four registered in North Carolina with a 289 manual transmission option including A/C from 1967."</p><p>Ray, along with his partner Nancy Pew, has operated Dad's Collectibles, 221 N. Main St., for just over three years. During that short time, he has actively participated in revitalizing downtown Hendersonville. </p><p>He has attended meetings of the Main Street Advisory Committee.</p><p>Recently, during "public comment," Mark spoke against what he calls the "misguided" clock tower proposal. He then turned attention to the "forgotten" clock affixed to the old State Trust Building, corner of Fourth Avenue East and Main Street. </p><p>"A refurbished McClintock clock," he said, "would be a genuine delight." </p><p>As a committee member, I became very attentive as he breathed life into what he calls "the poor clock sorely in need of TLC." </p><p>He then made the suggestion: "Instead of adding further insult to its former grandeur by adding a new clock tower, should we not give the McClintock clock new life … and spend far less? Hendersonville has a real treasure dating back to 1927."</p><p>Mention "McClintock," and I just might think of a John Wayne movie — certainly not a clock. </p><p>Desiring to know more about our historic clock, I "googled" and found several articles (with pictures) providing the history of O.B. McClintock and his historic clocks. </p><p>O.B. McClintock Co. of Minneapolis specialized in making clocks for banks and other financial institutions, usually with an outside mounting for public viewing. Many of the clocks had chime capabilities, with most of the movements supplied by Seth Thomas. </p><p>Ray, who has a passion for restoration, especially vintage cars, learned that our town clock had been maintained by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. </p><p>The folks at the Genealogical Society were very helpful in hooking Mark up with this group. The group is represented by members from all over Western North Carolina and maintains other historic clocks. </p><p>Mark shared his passion for the clock's restoration with them. This group inspected the clock to see what it would take to return it to its former glory. </p><p>They were able to get the clock re-illuminated for the first time in 15 years. </p><p>Mark describes the Hendersonville clock as "having a wonderful patina," but he is quick to point out that "the old controller does not keep the time uniform on all sides."</p><p>Armed with all the cost estimates from the committee, Mark Ray approached the City Council. His plea for restoration funds brought a smile from council members when he informed them the cost would be in four figures, not five. </p><p>Mayor Volk introduced Mark to the new city manager. </p><p>The two met under the clock a few days later. </p><p>If funding is approved, the clock will be fitted with modern electronics to keep it running in sync through storms, power outages and daylight saving time changes. </p><p>Mark hopes that funding can be achieved through county funds, as well as Main Street funds and private donations. </p><p>As someone who grew up in this town and county, I have always connected the "McClintock" clock with Hendersonville. </p><p>How many times have I said to someone who failed to understand my downtown Hendersonville directions, "Look for the clock on the building!" or "Do you know where the clock is on the granite building on Fourth and Main?" </p><p>The clock is in a central location. The building on which the clock is attached is owned by the Genealogical and Historical Society, an appropriate place for our town's historic clock. </p><p>Leave the clock as is — with its authentic discolorations — just work on getting it operating accurately once again. </p><p>Mark Ray's proposal should be given full attention. </p><p>He has sought new and productive ways to preserve a community landmark. And he has gone about it in the right way. </p><p>Downtown Hendersonville should begin now to develop a new marketing slogan: "Meet me at the McClintock clock."</p><p>Mark Ray makes it a point to tell friends and customers to be sure to check out the illuminated clock each evening beginning at 7.</p>